Category Archives: Blog
The Basics for Every Wudang School
The foundation of martial arts is very similar to Shaolin, except that Shaolin focuses more on external strength and Wudang on internal strength. Hence the movements come from the core and not from arm or leg strength; the highest goal to achieve is maximum power in the punch.
A strong foundation is important because all Gong Fu styles build upon basic strength and flexibility. Through the practice of the Mabu-Punch routine, one can achieve great strength in the stance and high flexibility in the hip and lower back.
Since the beginning of martial arts in China, the Mabu is an integral part of strength training. Simultaneously, the practice is challenging one’s ego and willingness to learn; if one can endure the training in Mabu, the mind is without aggression and can endure any hardship.
Here in the following video, Master Ziji is explaining the Mabu-Punch basic routine for all Sanfengpai schools:
Dragon & Phoenix – Love Relations in Daoism
In Chinese culture, dragons symbolize the male and the phoenix symbolizes the female. It is a common understanding that the female is flexible and the male is rigid, the male is strong, and the female is soft. In Daoism, we try to keep in balance with our training to prevent things from becoming uneven. By outweighing the weaknesses of each extreme, one can achieve harmony within.
Ignoring the facts of natural attraction will greatly change oneself and the environment; if one is focused on self-cultivation, it is also natural to attract other people who might be compatible with each other.
Polarization – to Attract the opposite
The most important part of Daoism’s life philosophy is self-cultivation; taking care of oneself is an important part of showing your efforts and honesty. Through self-cultivation, one can attract the outweighing opposite. A male usually takes over the responsibility like a rock in the surf, while the female represents the rebirth of hope and happiness. Together, a couple can achieve the so-called harmonic balance.
The nature of the male is to be strong in the initiative, even though the action might not be initially ideal. The male usually has the resources for building a future. The nature of the female tends to be in a supportive role and often is very good at providing council; also, the male can do the simple task easier that requires a higher amount of resources; the female is usually good at managing and optimizing it.
I think you get the point how both genders have natural roles in bringing out the best of their true potentials and balancing it so that both can perform at their fullest strength. In Daoism, the whole idea is that both can achieve more than one. To attract your balancing another half, a man has to find himself to polarize for the female to know what is needed; this goes both ways for each gender, of course.
Build Supportive – Harmonically Together
It is important to understand what attracts each other in a relationship, find the common source, and understand your partner’s motivation. When there is a common goal – a future that both can identify with – only then it is possible to support each other.
In a relationship, taking into account the personal interest of your partner is very important to understand each other’s needs. Like Yin and Yang, the perspective from the other is always a reflection of the opposite’s needs – realizing this by thinking about the other – naturally, the relationship balances each other’s needs out.
Solving Conflicts – Overcoming Mountains
There has to be a little resistance and a little conflict for a healthy couple to understand each other’s tolerance and the will to support each other. Suppose a couple can overcome mountains; it is less likely to stop in front of a mountain. On the peaks, the tea grows small, but the taste is rich, and the trees usually become older due to its internal strength from the environment and the lack of pests. Putting yourself in a spot where one usually does not want to be but is willing to achieve great things will help in overcoming conflicts in many ways.
If there arises a conflict, it mostly would be because the other half cannot trust the common spirit within the relationship. Letting go of personal interest, the own ego, and working towards what is needed together, for your partner, and reaching what both wish for, will help to achieve common trust.
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Yin Yang Principles – Learning Daoism Part 2
The order of creation is: First, Wuji, and if there is one, there must be two and three – this is the result of Yin and Yang – the opposites and the cycle of transformation of the five elements. This is the Daoist understanding of creation – moving and destruction – returning to stillness. Yin Yang includes everything and is a simplified understanding for all of the 10.000 things (infinite). Each one has its opposite, and each one has its producing and destructing counterpart.
The Supreme Ultimate (Taijitu) Diagram is a fancy word often used in modern Tai Chi schools. The meaning is a tiny part in Daoism with the Yin Yang theory and what the five elements actually offer; Daoism mentions the Taijitu as a basic doctrine in the I-Ching and gets much more complex and mathematical later on. Hence the Taijitu is often referred to as something universal and fundamental; that is true, but it is more because the further knowledge is rarely understood by westerns and often goes not deeper than the basic understanding of Yin Yang – the opposites. The orientation is also something most westerns hang themselves up with – but as long as the cardinal points, elements (Trigrams), or anything else is not defined, you can rotate the Taijitu any way you like.
Let’s go a little deeper – the Two Extremes.
The lineage of Sanfengpai goes deeper into the Yin Yang doctrines – also known as the doctrine of the Two Extremes (Liang Yi). Liang Yi hangs its principles on the creation and transformation cycle that results from the Yin Yang principles. Think about it like this: the body is working in the rhythm of Yin and Yang – because we breathe, we use power and have a state where there is no power, this is a constant transformation, the overall condition changes constantly physically and mentally. We have two glasses in our hands, one is full, and one is empty. For our body to function efficiently, we need to constantly fill the full cup into the empty one and repeat, as long we keep the water flowing – we can use the cycle of creation and destruction in our body. One could say that the Two Extremes drive the whole thing with Yin and Yang. Subconsciously we always have lived with this relation of Yin and Yang, but the practical work with this rhythm is called internal alchemy in Daoist terms.
If you have further questions about this topic feel free to post questions in our community forum!
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The Convincing Way of Fake Masters
Gray hair, ragged clothes, and quite aged, the perfect formula for the New Age healing guru. You learn by just watching; this way, you naturally comprehend the medium’s movements. Wellbeing is certainly promised, but a definite answer never appears behind the many marketing phrases.
Read this post till the end and see how you can easily check if the person has a legitimate teaching license.
Be exclusive
The first thing you will hear is that this training course is not like the others and not for hanging a certificate on the wall. It is important to establish a plane where you cannot be compared with others.
You need to know the secrets.
Instead of putting real effort into the training, you are served an easy way to be a part of the training program. Because the “energy” must be feeling good, we don’t want to strain ourselves too much.
Ignorance
Because there is an easy way to learn all this, the guru must somehow convey the feeling of success to keep pulling more money out of your pocket. People are at fault if they do not educate themselves. People make of it what they believe and what they think how it should be.
Copy real schools
The new-age gurus definitely try to copy real educational institutes like our Wudang Academy. The content and elements of it get copied and then packed into an exclusive marketing scheme.
All is good if you practice for yourself, but fake masters are always responsible for hurting students because they are not qualified to be teachers.
In this day and age, it is unbelievable why people believe in this bogus and not try to learn the real thing. In many cases, both are at fault, the fake master because he provides unqualified teaching and the student because the student never took a real interest in the content and just wanted quick healing energy.
Here the naked truth:
The regulation of Wudang arts is crucial. Otherwise, we will see more and more pseudo healers in the future. Healing also never was the main purpose of Daoist martial arts. The content will get watered down quickly if there is absolutely no way to confirm real values. Our Wudang Academy is the protector of the Sanfengpai-culture and only deploys new teachers through rigorous testing and examination. The education usually goes between one to three years, and in China, often up to 5 years for a master’s license. Now it is clear why the easy way is attractive for pulling quick money out of unknowing pockets. Just understand that these gurus try to be very convincing; they might be writing books or come up with their own healing methods to legitimate our Wudang content. Some might be quite old; some may start their fake master’s carrier at a young age. There is no definite formula to see through all the marketing schemes.
We have a transparent database validation tool for all legitimations, you can check them here:
We also issued an official warning which you can read here:
If you are unsure, we recommend that you contact us in our community forum! There you can ask questions if you want to know about a certain teacher or master.
Wuji the Ultimate – Learning Daoism Part 1
Everything has a beginning and an end. We can be both closest and farthest from the Dao, the energy is inexhaustible, but space is not defined. This is the teaching of Wuji – where it all begins when you start learning about Daoism … Wuji vs. Zen A common misconception in the West is that…
Quickstart Your Self-Healing Abilities
The body and mind are constantly working, but there has to be a time where we rest; during this resting time, the self-healing process – also naturally called regeneration – can be triggered or positively encouraged with the simple things I am about to explain in this post:
Most people never experience a real regeneration process – if your natural regeneration is suppressed, you also age much faster!
This is a must-read for everyone on their Daoist journey:
Three categories are important:
- Circulation – is promoted through specific stretching
- Nourishment – is promoted through natural food
- Sleep – is promoted through the environment
Let’s go through it step by step:
The circulation is going through the big circulatory system – the main organs and the minor circulatory system – limbs, joints…
The circulation is vital because it directly connects with your Qi – your body is nourished over the circulatory system. While the five main organs are rather easily circulated, the minor circulatory system is often troublesome if the body cannot push through the joints and veins well enough. Parts that are not reached by your circulation become necrotic and die off in the worst case.
The main indicator of weak circulation is fascia pain, especially in the back, shoulders, and neck. Also, the joints may be very small and lack the natural movement range. You can easily fix both of these problems with our Qi Gong training specializing in fascia and joints stretching.
What Daoists eat
It is a common mistake that Daoists do not eat meat; this is only true for priests. A balanced diet is preferable, but there are crucial points you need to keep in mind when you want to eat the Daoist way:
Do not use salt, pepper, or other spices – spices are very effective in changing our perception. As Daoists, you want to taste what you really need; spices are only confusing our body. They can be very effective as medicine, but Daoists never use spice to enhance the taste. It would be best if you never used especially salt; food normally has natural salt.
Do not overcook; use a steamer instead! Because Daoists do not use spices or other extras – the natural nourishment of food is highest when it is only slightly cooked to retain most of the vitamins and elements. A steamer can be a nice change in the kitchen, as it makes a lot more things possible without overcooking and degrading the food’s nourishment value.
Do not eat raw! Overcooking has less nourishment but not cooking will use up a lot of energy to digest. We want to make it as easy on our stomach as possible; using up a lot of energy for digesting will make you tired.
Besides these simple rules – you can basically eat everything. There is no golden rule, but in China, we eat many steamed vegetables, almost no fruits, and sometimes meat. Keep this in mind when you want to change your eating habits.
If you have more questions about this topic, keep in mind that I will gladly answer your questions in the community forum!
You train and eat properly? Then it would help if you learned about sleeping:
Sleeping is the process where the actual healing – your regeneration – happens. So, of course, you want to know how you can promote your regeneration during your sleep!
First of all, you need to sleep hard! Soft mattresses will only compress your spine and hence block your circulation in your circulatory system. Your bed should’ve firm, and you should not sink when you lie on it.
In Daoism, we focus on energy saving, and there is nothing more compelling than a good rest. There are many rules on how to sleep. However, sleeping should be natural, and every individual has different physical habits. There is no fixed rule on how to sleep, but there are ways to achieve the “great” sleep.
Understanding the Basics
(This might sound a little abstract but this knowledge is ancient, and it was forbidden to cut bodies open) The Daoists believe the right side of your upper body is “air”, while the left side is filled with blood/vessels. Before sleeping “look inside your heart”. You are not going on a journey, so there is no need to let your mind wander.
Don’t sleep like a dead man.
Do not put your hands on your chest or rest in other awkward positions. Everything that makes the oxygen intake harder should be avoided. The resting position should be easy to breathe and should promote the internal blood circulation. Do not tighten your joints or your blood cannot flow. Some tight areas will close the blood vessels on the joints, and you will wake up feeling that the “cut off” part is numb.
The Three Positions of the Sage
Lie on the back if you want to promote a straight posture. This position is excellent if you have back pain from hard work, but be careful not to lie too soft. The bed should not be so hard that you feel your bones but not too soft so that you feel compression on your spine and rips. Soft beds have a compressing effect which leads to spinal curvature. Your hands should be relaxed, and look down to your feet. If you have warm hands (if not, rub them first), place them on your “Dantian” (~2 fingers below navel).
Lie on the right side when your stomach is empty. This posture will balance the “blood” and “air” parts in the body. You reduce stress on the heart and have an overall deeper sleep. People with heart problems should prefer this position. Your right hand should support your neck and ear. The left hand should rest on your hip or upper leg. Do not put your chest and stomach inside too much; let the breathing go easy and naturally.
Lie on the left side to reduce stress in the stomach. If you have eaten something or your body has some water inside, this position can help to sleep quietly for a shorter duration. Be careful not to press your heart too much inside, and do not warp your body inside. The heart should be able to work efficiently, take your time to find the right position. This position will reduce pressure on your digestive organs. The left hand should support your neck and ear to bring the upper body in the right position. The right hand should rest on the hip or upper leg.
With all this said – it is clear now:
That the Daoist way is a well rounded way of life to preserve energy and promote our natural healing abilities. Never give up, cultivate yourself and share your experiences with the world!
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Authentic Wudang Tai Chi 28
Tai Chi 28 Performance from Master Ziji:
Steps Translation:
第一段
Dì Yī Duàn
Section one
1.預備式 Yù Bèi Shì
Ready posture
Note: 式 refers to a posture or movement, literally the form of physical shape
2.起式 Qǐ Shì
Starting movement
Note: 起 literally means rising up, used in the context meaning starting an action /task
3.退步崩式 Tuì Bù Bēng Shì
Step backward and deliver blow
Note: 崩 has the meaning of bursting or an immense collapse, indicating powerful movement.
4.攬雀尾 Lǎn Què Wěi
Catching finch tail
Note: 攬 refers to seizing with a collecting or trapping posture
5.正單鞭 Zhèng Dān Biān
Front single whip
第二段
Dì Èr Duàn
Section two
6.提手上式 Tí Shǒu Shàng Shì
Lifting hand and rising up
7.白鶴亮翅 Bái Hè Liàng Chì
White crane flashes wings
Note: 亮 means showing something which is normally concealed, the word can imply the action occurs for a brief moment. The white crane spreads and showing its wings.
8.左摟膝拗步 Zuǒ Lǒu Xī Ǎo Bù
Brush left knee and step to reversed stance
Note: 拗步 in Chinese martial art terminology refers to an action with the arm stretching out being the opposite side to the leg stepping in front.
9.手揮琵琶 Shǒu Huī Pípá
Strike the lute
Note: 琵琶 Pi Pa is a Chinese string instrument with solid body and no hollow cavity, giving it the uniquely forceful character. Pi Pa is normally regarded as an instrument of “Wu”(武) character (martial, as opposed to Wen (文), meaning scholar/gentle/refined). Common playing techniques involve powerful strokes. The action 揮 means to swing the hand and wipe across the strings.
10.小擒拿手 Xiǎo Qín Ná Shǒu
Small capturing hand
Note: 擒拿 Qin Na refers to seizing (擒 capture) and holding (拿). Qin Na in martial art terminology refers in a broad sense to seizing and manipulation techniques. 擒拿手 refers to the hand action of capturing.
11.右踢腿 Yòu Tī Tuǐ
Right leg kick
Note: the action in Chinese is stated as 踢腿 “kick leg”.
12.左打虎式 Zuǒ Dǎ Hǔ Shì
Left beating tiger posture
Note: the concept of 降龍 and 伏虎 is seen in Chinese philosophical and religious expressions, often in both Buddhism and Daoism. The ability to subdue a fierce beast is used as the representation of distinct capability. In ancient times tigers were notorious and also mysterious. Defeating a tiger has been a widely used theme in literature, such as novels, depicting courage and power.
第三段
Dì Sān Duàn
Section three
13.右打虎式 Yòu Dǎ Hǔ Shì
Right beating tiger posture
14.左摟膝拗步 Zuǒ Lǒu Zī Ǎo Bù
Brush left knee and step to reversed stance
15.野馬分鬃 Yě Mǎ Fēn Zōng
Wild horse parting its mane
Note: the opening of the hands mimic the mane of a galloping a wild horse spreading to both sides.
16.正單鞭 Zhèng Dān Biān
Front single whip
17.玉女穿梭 Yù Nǚ Chuān Suō
Fair lady working the loom
Note: 穿梭 refers to the action performed when working a loom. Specifically feeding through the 梭子 in the process of looming.
18.正單鞭 Zhèng Dān Biān
Front single whip
第四段
Dì Sì Duàn
Section four
19.下勢 Xià Shì
Dropping down
Note: the word 勢 refers to the direction/tendency of movement/power.
20.上步七星 Shàng Bù Qī Xīng
Step forward to seven stars
Note: literally 上步 states stepping “up”, and should be understood as “forward”.
北斗七星, or in brief 七星, are seven stars referred to by the Chinese as a group. They form the shape of a 勺 (long spoon/dipper). In martial art the name is often used to refer to the shape of stepping pattern.
21.退步跨虎 Tuì Bù Kuà Hǔ
Step backward mounting the tiger
22.雙擺蓮 Shuāng Bǎi Lián
Double swinging lotus
23.彎弓射虎 Wān Gōng Shè Hǔ
Draw the bow to shoot tiger
24.上步搬攔捶 Shàng Bù Bān Lán Chuí
Step forward, shift-parry-hammer
Note: 搬, 攔, 捶 each refers to a movement, the first two of which are defensive moves, and the last a striking move.
25.如封似閉 Rú Fēng Shì Bì
Closing up
Note: literally 如 and 似mean apparently/mimicking/similar to… The movement is literally referred to “like shut”. This is not to be understood as a deceiving action, rather the blockade is well formed that it is like completed closed.
26.十字手 Shí Zì Shǒu
Crossing hands
Note: 十字 ten-character in Chinese means crossed shape, as the Chinese character for number ten is a cross.
27.抱虎歸山 Bào Hǔ Guī Shān
Bringing the tiger back to the mountain
28.收式 Shōu Shì
Finishing movement
Note: 收 has the meaning of reorganizing the things taken out, to collect and pack items. Therefore it has the meaning of withdrawing (power/commitment given out) from the exercise.
Qi Gong is What You Need to Learn – Because Now You Think You Know
There is no other art like Qi Gong, which is technically touted in marketing with many empty promises. Besides, there are apparently Qi Gong schools everywhere that promise a certificate in a few weeks or even train masters in a short amount of time. In this post, I don’t want to write about the strange tactics that Qi Gong is sold with today, but about the common misunderstanding of the term Qi Gong because most people today actually have a completely wrong impression of it.
Qi Gong in the fast lane
This is ridiculous; Qi Gong promises a feeling of well-being and good health, very efficiently and quickly. But how is that really supposed to work? With the energy? With the highly efficient exercises? With the stretching exercises? The providers usually can’t think of much more; it seems to be enough to scam innocent people.
Let’s be clear now
The hard facts are not well received by many of the interested parties or the other providers. My education was very strenuous, and I see my students’ responsibility as more important than not bringing the truth to light. Qi Gong is the most important part of any internal martial art. Qi Gong rarely comes alone but is an essential part of a martial arts school. Today I can safely say that my school, the Wudang Academy – the Qi Gong of our lineage of Sanfengpai – is one of the best Qi Gong routines in the world. I will explain to you in a moment how Qi Gong works and why ours is so good.
This is what you need to know
Qi Gong is first and foremost like anything you write on the back with the “Gong” – a lot of work. Translated, it means “fuel” for us humans, which is oxygen, and together it means breathing power exercise. Qi Gong works naturally like our body, without any supernatural effects. It is simply better gymnastics for everyone as there are more factors, but no one knows about it. Therefore, I will go deeper into the ways of using and applying Qi Gong.
Qi Gong, in Daoist teachings, focuses on stretching the fascia and optimizing the breathing rhythm. The same Qi Gong in another school like Shaolin is fundamentally different. Qi Gong is, therefore, not Qi Gong; even if the names are the same and the routine is already known, how you train is important.
Separating the wheat from the chaff
It is dangerous to exercise anything; many offer unofficial Qi Gong routines with familiar names and familiar routines; I can only advise against it if you want to stay healthy. But how can a layperson find out whether it is a real Qi Gong?
Qi Gong in the fast lane – never trust people who promise quick success with simple and effortless Qi Gong routines.
Well-being, wellness, and relaxation – three things that have nothing to do with the process of Qi Gong exercises. After every sport, you will feel better afterward, especially with the right Qi Gong exercises. You can compare that to athletes – how would you market a sport? Definitely not with a sense of wellbeing. Of course, you want athletes who can keep up with the training plan, so you would say it is your chance to get better, but you need to fight – put lots of effort into it. In sport, it suddenly becomes clear that we have to make an effort. So why not with Qi Gong?
Improving the energy balance – these are absolutely empty promises; nobody has become fitter without exertion, and what else should this energy be? Never get sick? Yes, then please stretch a lot – and do it right and train your circulatory system as well. These are the two things that will go the best in helping you avoid getting sick and avoiding stress.
It’s a fact that is similar to yoga – in the West; Qi Gong is full of pseudo-trainers and pseudo-masters in glossy plastic uniform who have all been doing this for years and are fully convinced of it.
Ok, I want to learn the real thing – but what are the benefits?
Qi Gong takes years to be really good at it. Everybody can feel the effects of our Qi Gong physically very quickly. After the first two courses, you should have no or almost no pain, if you have had any – especially in the main areas such as the back, shoulder, and neck.
The real success of Qi Gong is for healthy people, not for “damaged” people. Once the pain is gone, Qi Gong really starts with the following:
The most important point to learn about Qi Gong is the straight posture. This avoids a wrong posture in the future, and the practitioner gets a feeling for the straight posture. Only when you stand upright can your body relax and focus your strength on other things; this is very important for martial arts.
Advanced students who are good at Qi Gong will learn how to use breathing rhythm, which directly creates a feeling and control over Yin and Yang – strength and relaxation.
Most people are so far from advanced practice that having more information is just confusing. If you really want to learn Qi Gong, you start at the bottom; most students drop out because they underestimated it. So too much information is not good; focus on the exercise. Qi Gong is not for sale, and there is no supermarket where you can get what you want. You strive and reap the benefits.
Of course, this all sounds less exciting than everyone else’s marketing speech, but if you want to learn an inner art, don’t let the surface distract you.
How can I start?
You can get a taste in our online courses! But of course, personal coaching from Master Ziji is vital to be able to correct you. This is a route of your choice. Nobody can help you in your endeavors. But it is a path that leads to a great treasure – something that you cannot buy. Not only do you learn an old tradition from our line, but you are also free to decide what you want to do without pain and physical and mental abilities – to become young again.
Daoist Meditation Guide
When starting with meditation, most people tend to talk about very complicated techniques. In meditation, the practice is in the foreground, so complicated techniques are not what people should be concerned about.
In Daoist meditation, you focus on natural breathing – nothing else – while you stand in an upright posture. The hip and lower back should be relaxed so that the body can be straight with a slight pressure forward. This way, you ensure your upright posture without using additional tension in your back. Once set up straight, the flow of breath should naturally come and circulate through the body. Daoists want a long breath; the longer the breath is circulating in the lungs, the better and more effective it is.
The eyes should be half-closed, so you don’t fall to sleep by accident. The half-closed eyes are a significant indicator of true Daoist meditation. It means you are nowhere and not flowing somewhere through space with your mind. The Daoist practice is about the here and now and yourself – meditation is about what is inside, not about what the cosmos is outside.
It is often confused with esoteric practices; Daoist meditation takes quite a lot of effort to get used to and be relaxed with it. Nothing is effortless in the beginning, and no energy will come to you in mystical ways.
Why Daoists meditate
Once the physical body is trained properly, the energy has to be focused through the meditation practice. Physical training is about energy capacity, while meditation training – also called Wuji training, is about the void – the focus of there. From Wuji, the emptiness, one can emerge, and if one then two and so on – you know the Daodejing chapter. It basically is true that from Wuji, everything can emerge – your purpose in life and your understanding of Yin and Yang – which will further develop your internal martial arts. It is a practice for the strong, for the experienced students that look for defining their skills.
Meditation with Master Ziji
Meditation should never be shorter than 15 minutes but can be as long as you like after this time limit. Here is a video of Master Ziji meditating, which you can use as a reference:
Authentic Wudang Eight Brocades Qi Gong
Ba Duan Jin Qigong is one of the most original forms of Qigong, which was created in 1150. Baduanjin means “the 8 pieces of brocade” and received Taoist influence on the legends of the 8 immortals 200 years later.
The Ba Duan Jin Qigong of the Taoists in Wudang has been improved and further developed through the Taoist knowledge of the body and health over the past centuries. Ba Duan Jin Qigong consists of 8 exercises that strengthen the body and promote mobility through stretching, breathing, and tensing.
Practice with Master Ziji:
Here are the Ba Duan Jin Qigong exercises:
Support the sky with your hands: Stimulates the Sanjiao meridian 焦 (Wuxing: fire element) meridian; this has a positive effect on the kidneys and spleen. An upward movement with both arms connects to the center of the body by extending over the head.
Archery: Performed in a stable and wide position. Tension and sustained breathing create a pressure similar to drawing a bow. The following exercise aims to release this tension consciously. Archery is one of the most famous and important strengths and circulation exercises in Ba Duan Jin Qigong.
Separate heaven and earth: You are the center of yourself and stretch your arms outwards. While doing this tension, rotate the axis of the arms and hips as much as possible. This stretches and relaxes the joints in the arm and shoulder area, and old cramps are quickly relieved. It also has a positive effect on the stomach.
The wise owl looks back: Improves coordination and increases kidney and eye function. It also strengthens the neck and shoulders.
Swing your head from one side to the other: Mobilizes the functional column and activates the energy blockages and muscle tension. In Taoist Baduanjin, the hips are particularly stretched and stretched.
Touch your toes and bend backward: stretches and lengthens the muscles in your lower back. Promotes blood circulation and strengthens blood circulation.
Clench your fists with one sharp look: it trains oxygen supply and is good for reducing anger. Stimulates the liver and increases the fighting spirit.
Shake the body: Stretches the spine and promotes a straight posture. Balances the qi in the body and is therefore important as the last exercise.
Today, Ba Duan Jin Qigong is one of the oldest and proven types of Qigong. The beginner-friendliness is very high, you do not need any previous knowledge or basic fitness, which is why Ba Duan Jin Qigong is becoming increasingly popular. Here you can learn this form with its Taoist roots, for conscious physical health and more energy and activity in the exhaustion of everyday life.
How Daoists Clear Their Mind (Meditation)
In practice, a clear head means that you can concentrate freely without being distracted. This ability expands personal freedom to do the things you want.
For example, to elaborate on this, we will describe the Daoist meditation practice.
One of the oldest and most original Daoist meditations is to stand on one leg on a cliff on the mountain. One would think that standing on one leg physically pushes the practitioner to their limit, but the mental pressure is much higher. True freedom to relax in such a situation is central to this practice.
Accept the Situation
You block your own way with your ego when you can’t let go of it. The mind and body’s situation must be accepted; the body will show up in pain and resistance, while the mind will show poor focus and restlessness. In this exercise lies the secret of immortality as described in Daodejing. The body tolerates, and the mind determines; the tolerance and existence of both things determine existence for eternity.
If someone cannot stand quietly on one leg without worrying about how long it will take, they are not ready for this exercise and lack the focus needed from this practice.
Do You Have Questions About This Topic?
Leave it in our community forum! Master Ziji regularly checks the forum to guide you and clear up the confusion.
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I am always very busy working on new videos and blog posts, but there is only so much I can do alone and I appreciate sitting back drink a cup of tea, and relax for a moment. Thank you for your support!
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